BARRY HORNE: Everton FC must look forward not back after Europa League exit

06 March 2010 04:00

AFTER Everton's poor showing in Lisbon our season is effectively over.

Nevertheless I still think it's been a great year for the club and David Moyes and the players have done absolutely great.

If you look at the state of some clubs' debt Everton have done fantastically given their early season difficulties.

The value of the squad has systematically imp- roved year after year, bearing in mind what David Moyes inherited from Walter Smith.

Everton then were where Portsmouth are now - in possession of a long list of short term buys to do a short term job.

To get to where we are in the league has been remarkable, but the one disappointment of this year has been our cup performances.

It's perhaps a little early to be looking forward to next season, but in many respects it's not.

David Moyes and his staff will have a long, long look at preparations for next season and hopefully have a lot more luck in the early stages to build a better platform to renew an assault on the top six.